freefall Theatre Opens All-New Staging of Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET Tonight, 10/26

"Two houses, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona where we lay our scene." So begins one of the most widely known and best-loved plays in the English language. After wildly successful productions of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, freeFall continues its commitment to present Shakespeare as an integral part of their theatre season. An ensemble of 8 versatile actors will bring the classic to life in this vibrant staging of Shakespeare's masterpiece. Join us as freeFall builds on its award-winning approach to Shakespeare's plays (CL Best of the Bay, BroadwayWorld Florida Awards). Prepare to be surprised.

The popularity, power and passion of William Shakespeare's ROMEO + JULIET has inspired countless theatrical stagings, operas and ballets, and more than 60 television and film versions (including the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli film and the 1996 adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes). A cornerstone of high school curricula, freeFall's ROMEO + JULIET will also be made available to student groups for a deeply discounted group rate.

freefall Artistic Director Eric Davis will direct this exciting new staging, after recently helming the smash hit CABARET. Davis was recently named Best Artistic Director (Critics' Pick) and Best Director (Readers' pick) by Creative Loafing.

Jesse LeNoir and Sarah McAvoy perform as the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. LeNoir is a successful theatre and film actor, and was also a designer on Season 7 of the hit reality series, PROJECT RUNWAY. Ms. McAvoy, a St. Petersburg native, was in American Stage Theatre Company's acclaimed production of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.

Joining the cast will be freeFall favorites Roxanne Fay (CABARET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, WILD PARTY), Gene D'Alessandro and Jennifer Christa Palmer, (both previously seen in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM), local actors Matt Lunsford (THE 39 STEPS, THE FOREIGNER) and Chris Crawford (THE FOREIGNER), and newcomer Michael Shenefelt from Orlando.

The production team for ROMEO + JULIET includes: fight choreography by Blake Braswell; scenic design by Matt Davis; lighting design by Christopher Rutherford; and costume design by Scott Daniel.

ROMEO + JULIET will open tonight, October 26, and run Thursdays through Sundays through November 18. Showtimes are 7pm Thursdays, 8pm Fridays, 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays, and 2pm Sundays. Tickets are $39 or $46, depending on seating. Discounts are available for students, seniors, military, and freeFall Members. $22 "rush tickets" are sold on an as-available basis 30 minutes before each show to students and teachers with ID's, and industry artists (show an AEA ID or your name in a printed program.) Special student matinees can be scheduled throughout the run. Contact Matthew at 727-498-5205 X 7 for more details.

For more information and tickets visit www.freeFalltheatre.com or call (727) 498-5205.

Photo credit: Bryan Leighty, BWL Photography

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